Oil painging art courses and programmes
At Burnt Sienna, we offer a variety of learning formats for all levels of experience.
Discover our courses and get in touch to find the one that suits you best.
Overview of our art
courses and programs
Foundation Courses
Perfect for beginners eager to learn the fundamentals of drawing and oil painting, including color theory, composition, and studio techniques.
Intermediate Courses
For students with some experience who want to refine skills, explore advanced techniques, and develop a personal artistic style.
Workshops
Short, intensive sessions focusing on specific themes like still life, portrait, or oil painting techniques—ideal for a creative boost without long-term commitment.
Mentoring & Residencies
Designed for emerging artists seeking a professional approach. Mentoring includes one-on-one tutorials, group critiques, and independent studio time in a historic loft. Residencies provide 3–6 months of studio access, mentorship, and exhibition opportunities.
Online Tutorials
Complementary digital resources for students, including step-by-step guides, studio practice advice, and tutorials on brushes, sketchbooks, and painting techniques.
All courses combine hands-on tuition, high-quality materials, and group discussion to create a complete learning experience. Students develop technical mastery while building confidence in both traditional and contemporary painting practice.
Our art courses and programs in detail
Foundation Courses
Perfect for beginners eager to learn the fundamentals of drawing and oil painting, including colour theory, composition, and studio techniques. Our Foundation Courses take place in Burnt Sienna’s historic Neukölln studio—a bright and inspiring space where students receive individual attention in groups of no more than six.
Each course runs for six sessions of three hours each (6 × 3h), providing a structured introduction to the principles of observational drawing and painting. Through hands-on exercises, students build technical confidence from the very first session, learning how to mix and apply colour, understand proportion and form, and explore a variety of traditional oil painting methods under the guidance of professional tutors.
The small-group format encourages both focus and collaboration, allowing each participant to progress at their own pace while benefiting from shared critiques and discussion. On completion, every student receives a Certificate of Achievement, recognising their progress and newly acquired skills in the foundations of painting and drawing.
Course fee: €595 · Solidarity rate: €480
“The oil painting foundation course with Louise was my first experience with oil paints and a key step in learning to think like an artist. The studio’s atmosphere was intimate and supportive, and it was inspiring to learn alongside such focused and passionate people.”
Intermediate Courses
Ideal for students with some prior experience who wish to refine their technical skills and develop a more personal artistic style. Our Intermediate Courses are held in Burnt Sienna’s historic Neukölln studio, offering a focused and inspiring environment for small groups of up to six participants.
Each course consists of six sessions of three hours each (6 × 3h) and builds upon the fundamentals covered in the Foundation Courses. Students explore more advanced aspects of drawing and oil painting, including composition, colour harmony, glazing, and the development of independent projects. Each session combines demonstration, guided studio work, and one-to-one feedback from professional tutors, ensuring that every participant receives personalised support.
Discussion and critique play a key role throughout the course, helping students to expand their understanding of contemporary studio practice while deepening their appreciation of traditional techniques. Upon completion, each participant is awarded a Certificate of Achievement, acknowledging their progress and dedication to advancing their artistic practice.
Course fee: €595 · Solidarity rate: €480
“I would love to say that this course has so warm and welcoming atmosphere! Emma is a great teacher who helped me with my path of working on my painting. She shared knowledge, was very supportive, and helped me achieve my results. I would be glad to come back to another course! ”
Workshops
Our workshops offer short, intensive sessions focused on specific themes such as still life, portraiture, or advanced oil painting techniques. Perfect for those seeking a creative boost, workshops provide concentrated learning in a single area, allowing students to experiment and expand their skills without committing to a longer course.
Each workshop emphasises hands-on practice, individual guidance, and group discussion, ensuring that students leave with both new skills and renewed inspiration for their ongoing artistic practice.
Mentoring Programme
Designed for emerging artists ready to take their practice to a professional level, our twelve-week Mentoring Programme offers a structured and supportive framework within Burnt Sienna’s historic Neukölln loft studio. Participants work independently on their painting projects while receiving personalised one-to-one guidance and monthly group critiques with fellow artists in a collaborative, international environment.
Each artist enjoys 24-hour studio access, a dedicated workspace, and full use of professional materials, a comprehensive art library, printer, scanner, and shared facilities. The atmosphere encourages focus, experimentation, and artistic growth.
Alongside painting development, the programme includes Professional Practice sessions covering how to catalogue and promote your work, network with galleries, organise exhibitions, and sell paintings professionally. These sessions provide artists with the tools and confidence to navigate the art world and sustain a professional creative practice.
By the end of the programme, artists will have strengthened their technical ability, refined their creative direction, and gained confidence in presenting their work publicly.
Key details:
Duration: 12 weeks
Structure: Minimum 15 hours of studio use per week
Access: 24 hours a day
Course fee: €750 (includes all materials and surfaces)
Outcome: Professional development, portfolio growth, and exhibition preparation
Our tutors are professional artists with exceptional skill and extensive experience in oil painting and drawing. Each brings a commitment to high-quality, hands-on teaching, combining academic rigour with personal guidance in an encouraging environment.
Courses take place in our historic Neukölln attic studio – an intimate, light-filled space designed to foster focus, creativity, and craftsmanship. With its raw charm, antique objects, and quiet atmosphere, the studio offers artists a true haven for concentrated work and artistic growth.
Inside Burnt Sienna Art School
Ready to start your artistic journey?
Join Burnt Sienna Berlin and experience hands-on, professional oil painting education in a supportive, creative environment.
Next upcoming featured courses
Art Courses & Programmes – FAQs
-
We offer Foundation and Intermediate Courses, short Workshops, Mentoring Programmes and Online Tutorials—all designed to accommodate beginners through to experienced artists.
-
Most Foundation and Intermediate Courses run for six sessions of three hours each (6 × 3h). Mentoring and residencies offer longer-term, flexible studio access, with one-to-one tutorials and group critiques integrated into the programme.
-
Most Foundation and Intermediate Courses run for six sessions of three hours each (6 × 3h). Mentoring programmes and residencies are longer-term, offering extended studio access and one-to-one tuition.
-
Classes are deliberately small, with a maximum of six students per group. This ensures individual attention, meaningful feedback, and a supportive, intimate learning environment in our historic Neukölln studio.